From Awful Library Books blogs.
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Pushing its own barrow, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) suggests people give survival tools this Christmas. "For the guy who has everything, the gift of a fire extinguisher might be perfect," said Fema administrator Craig Fugate. "For tech geeks, you might get one of those emergency crank-up radios. And I'm a big fan of those little flashlights as stocking fillers. You can never have enough flashlights when there's a power cut. What we're saying is that the holidays are the only time families really get together. So it's the ideal time to talk about a communication plan in the event of a disaster."
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Si Moore writes: "In the time it takes me to walk across the newly earthquake-proofed Grafton Bridge I consistently see motorists busted by a video camera-wielding parking warden for driving on what is now exclusively bus territory from 7am to 7pm. When will our stunningly thick city council realise it's not that Auckland motorists are deliberately breaking the law, it's that they can't see the 'bus only' signs at both ends of the bridge which are tiny and hidden behind poles."
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Katerina Adams of Opotiki writes: "Don't the people who complain about The Shawshank Redemption and The Sound of Music being shown over Christmas realise what classics these films are? The former was voted top movie by the internet Movie Database users and nominated for seven Oscars in 1994. The latter is a great feel-good reminder of how families can overcome adversity and get along. This can only be a good thing when domestic disturbances jump over the festive period. Watching these types of film has become as much a tradition over Christmas as turkey and tinsel."
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Kerry Dustin has a tale of holiday shopping ridiculousness. "I ordered a book for my brother-in-law from the Whitcoulls NZ website. Cool, I thought, get it locally and then it'll arrive in time for Christmas. It arrived today. It was shipped from the UK. The address for returns is Australia."
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Forget handcream hawkers; insurance sales people are stalking you in the carpark. "Yesterday I managed to organise my toddler and newborn for a trip to Sylvia Park. While still in the carpark (trying to set up the stroller, doors open to reveal frustrated toddler, bags precariously perched on the boot) a man from ING thought it was the perfect time to ask me about life insurance."
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See today's Herald cartoon
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Today's Webpick: In this feelgood clip from long-running 70s TV show Soul Train the funky people are dancing to The O’Jays “Love Train”. Keep an eye out for the awesome grooving of the chubby guy in the two tone brown woollen vest at about 1.08. Pure unselfconscious joy! Go here and 'get down'.
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